Axillary Mass - An Unusual Presentation of Filariasis

Lymphatic filariasis is a major public health problem in India with most infections being caused by Wuchereria bancrofti. Clinical manifestations depend on the area of lymphatic involvement and the duration of infection. The present case report is that of an axillary mass which clinically resembled a lipoma and on aspiration revealed the presence of numerous microfilariae in a fluid background. This case is being reported for the rarity of presentation of filariasis as an isolated axillary lymphovarix with absence of adjacent enlarged lymph nodes, microfilaraemia or peripheral blood eosinophilia.